The short answer
- The most important questions are: what will you deliver, who will be on set, how many revision rounds are included, who owns the footage and music rights, and when will we get the final files.
- A good videographer asks you questions too: about your audience, where the video will run and what you want viewers to do.
- Get every answer in the quote. A fixed quote with a clear scope beats a low hourly rate every time.
A brand video is not a wedding or an event. Nothing happens by itself in front of the camera. Everything you see in a good brand video was planned: the message, the locations, the shots, the people on screen and the length of each cut. That means the videographer you hire matters less for their camera and more for how they plan, shoot and edit a story that sells.
These are the questions to ask on the first call, grouped by topic, with notes on what a good answer sounds like.
Goals and planning
- What do you need to know from us before you can quote? A good answer includes your audience, where the video will run, the length, and what you want viewers to do next.
- Will there be a script, a shot list or a creative brief? You want something in writing before shoot day.
- Who writes the script or interview questions? Some videographers write, some expect you to. Know which.
- Can you show us work similar to what we need? A beautiful music video does not prove the person can make a clear 90-second brand story.
- How do you plan for social cutdowns? If you need vertical versions for Reels and TikTok, they should be planned before the shoot, not cropped later.
Before the first call, write one sentence: "After watching this video, a customer should..." Every good brand video starts from that line.
Crew and shoot day
- Who will be on set, and who will edit? Ask for names and roles. A one-person shoot is fine for some projects; a two-camera interview with lighting and audio usually needs more hands.
- How do you handle audio? Bad audio ruins a video faster than soft focus. Ask about lav mics, boom mics and how they monitor sound on set.
- What lighting do you bring? Interviews and product shots need controlled light, especially indoors.
- How long is the shoot, and what happens if we run over? Half day and full day are common; know the overtime rate.
- Do you need anything from us on shoot day? Locations, permits, people on camera, products, wardrobe, release forms.
Gear matters, but it is not the main question. Any professional should be shooting on a camera that delivers clean, gradeable footage. For reference, we shoot on Canon cinema cameras (the EOS R5 C and EOS C50) with RF L-series lenses. Our guide to lighting an interview with three lights and recording clean interview audio show what good craft looks like behind the scenes.
Deliverables and revisions
| Ask about | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Main video length | A 60 to 90 second spot and a 3-minute story are different projects with different prices. |
| Cutdowns and versions | Vertical, square, 15 and 30 second versions for ads and social. |
| Captions | Many people watch social video on mute. |
| Revision rounds | How many, and what counts as a revision vs a new request. |
| File formats | Web, social and big screen versions. |
| Raw footage | Is it included, available for a fee, or not offered? |
| Delivery date | A date or window in writing, and what pauses the clock. |
Rights, music and usage
This section is where brand videos differ most from personal videos, and where problems show up months later.
- Who owns the final video, and what are we allowed to do with it? Websites, social, paid ads, TV, trade shows? Get the usage in writing.
- Is the music licensed for commercial use, including paid ads? A track licensed for an organic post may not cover a paid campaign.
- Do you get release forms from everyone on camera? Employees, customers and actors should sign releases for commercial use.
- Can you use the video in your own portfolio? Most videographers want to. If the project is confidential, say so up front.
Ask about music rights before you see the first cut. Falling in love with a song you cannot use in an ad is an expensive way to learn.
Pricing and contract
Fixed project quote
- Scope, shoot length and deliverables listed
- Revision rounds set in writing
- You know the total before work starts
- Easy to compare between vendors
Hourly or day rate only
- Shoot cost is clear, edit cost often is not
- Revisions can add hours
- Total depends on how the edit goes
- Harder to budget
Ask what the deposit is, when the balance is due, what happens if the shoot is rescheduled, and whether travel, permits, locations or talent are extra. For typical market pricing, see our guide to video production cost in Los Angeles.
Questions they should ask you
The first call goes both ways. A videographer who is going to make a strong brand video will want to understand your business before quoting. Expect questions like these, and have short answers ready:
- Who is your customer, and what do they worry about before buying?
- Where will this video live: your homepage, paid ads, a pitch, a trade show screen?
- What should a viewer do after watching?
- Who will appear on camera, and are they comfortable speaking?
- Is there a launch date or campaign the video has to be ready for?
If nobody asks, the quote is a price for camera time, not for a video built to do a job.
Red flags
- No questions about your audience or goals
- A portfolio with no work like yours
- Vague answers on deliverables or revisions
- No plan for audio
- "We will figure out the music later"
- No written contract or quote
How we handle it
Every content project with us starts with a 20-minute discovery call, then a fixed quote and a shot plan before any work starts. The edit runs as a first cut, your notes and a final cut, with revision rounds set in your quote. Brand and promo videos start at $3,500, and you can see every format we make on our content creation page or start by telling us about it on plan your project.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a brand video cost?
It varies widely with length, crew size, locations and deliverables. A short brand spot from a small professional team often costs a few thousand dollars, and larger productions cost more. Compare fixed quotes with the same scope.
Should I get the raw footage?
If you plan to cut more content later, it can be useful. Many videographers charge for it or limit it, so ask before you sign.
How many revision rounds are normal?
One to two rounds is common for brand work. What matters most is that the number is written into the quote and that you give organized, combined feedback each round.
How long does a brand video take?
Planning, shooting and editing together often take several weeks. Ask for a delivery window in writing, and know that slow feedback on cuts extends it.
